TSCA, International Regulations and Contract Manufacturing Focus of Special SME Track at GlobalChem

By Dan Newton, Senior Manager, Government Relations |
March 13, 2017

With the groundbreaking passage of bipartisan Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) reform last year, implementation of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (LCSA) was a key topic of interest at the 2017 Global Chemical Regulations Conference (GlobalChem), held February 22-24, at the Omni Shoreham in Washington, D.C. There was also no shortage of interest about emerging international regulations, especially with the approaching 2018 REACh registration deadline.

This year, SOCMA sponsored an afternoon session specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on February 23, which focused on implementation of TSCA, international regulations and best practices involving the contract manufacturing relationship.

“What SMEs should know about the Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act” was the focus of the first panel discussion, moderated by SOCMA Senior Manager Dan Newton. Jamie Conrad of Conrad Law & Policy Counsel and Dr. Beth Bosley, President of Boron Specialties, tag teamed to provide an overview of the new legislation, highlighting areas SMEs should pay close attention to. Tabby Waqar, Assistant Chief Counsel for Environmental Policy in the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, wrapped up the discussion by sharing insight into ways SMEs can be more engaged with her office and have an impact on the rulemaking process. Several activities are under way at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including redefining the criteria for small business, determining how new fees might apply to them, among others industry should pay close attention to, she said.

Attendees also learned more about how to compete as an SME in a highly regulated world during the second panel discussion moderated by SOCMA Government Relations Manager Brittany Mountjoy. Given the continued rise of new international regulatory regimes directly impacting SMEs the session provided an overview of global regulations companies should know about as well as guidance on how to succeed. Jim DeLisi of Fanwood Chemical, a longtime SOCMA member and Chairman of the association’s International Trade Committee, provided an overview of the many regulations and regions industry should pay attention to. He also shared some of the challenges being faced with the upcoming REACh deadline and “Brexit.” Shana McCabe, Global Business Manager at Ingevity, also talked about some of the challenges and opportunities her business unit faces in navigating the global regulatory landscape.

The afternoon session concluded with a panel discussion on leveraging strategies that impact the toll and contract manufacturing relationship. There are different approaches to managing these relationships, depending on the companies involved, and the session shed some light on these various approaches. Attendees heard perspectives from both the toller and contracting manufacturer on trends, tolling agreement structures and how to manage an increasingly sophisticated supply chain. Dr. Holland Jordan, SOCMA’s Managing Director of ChemStewards, moderated the session. Clinton Beeland, President and CEO of CJB Industries, kicked things off and was followed by Pete Schiffer, Supply Chain Leader at DuPont Crop Protection, and Michael Stadelmaier, Procurement Manager at BASF.

As follow-up to the GlobalChem sessions, SOCMA will continue the dialogue with congressional offices and regulatory officials on TSCA implementation, as well as global regulatory officials on REACh and other chemical regulation issues that impact our members. And with our contract manufacturers, we will work with our members and provide opportunities for them to discuss best practices and streamline processes to improve the tolling relationship throughout the supply chain.